THE ARGUMENT. ADAM inquires concerning celestial motions, is doubtfully answered, and exhorted to search rather things more worthy of knowledge: Adam assents, and still desirous to detain Raphael, relates to him what he remembered since his own creation, his placing in Paradise, his talk with God concerning solitude and fit society, his first meeting and nuptials with Eve, his discourse with the angel thereupon: who after admonitions repeated, departs. PARADISE LOST. BOOK VIII. THE angel ended, and in Adam's ear What thanks sufficient, or what recompense Historian, who thus largely hast allay'd Things else by me unsearchable, now heard Creator? something yet of doubt remains, Their distance argues and their swift return Round this opacious earth, this punctual spot,* "This punctual spót:" no bigger than a point. One day and night, in all their vast survey Greater so manifold to this one use, For ought appears, and on their orbs impose That better might with far less compass move, So spake our sire, and by his count'nance seem'd And grace that won who saw to wish her stay, Of what was high: such pleasure she reserv'd, Not words alone pleas'd her. O when meet now |